My Vacation Reflection

The tickets and hotel has been booked, visas are ready, tour guides are in place, the itinerary has been arranged, and super thick clothes have been purchased. For those of us who live in Saudi Arabia with hot weather, we like to search out a cold place like Japan in December for vacation. We imagine the cold and snowy weather of the country, or enjoying sleeping in a traditional house in Kyoto, with a tatami room and a typical Japanese futon, or tasting halal cuisine in Osaka!

Everything looks perfect based on human plans and 90% of the preparation has been done. Only packing is left to be done and I’m picturing all of the happy moments that will be shared with the family after the fatigue caused by our daily routines when my husband arrives home from work with complaints about pain in the lever. We checked into the emergency room and the doctor gave him some medication and injections for pain relief. Further examinations such as blood checks, and ultrasounds were performed the next day and I began to feel that my husband needed to rest. If we forced him to to travel it might sacrifice his health condition. He had been travelling back and forth abroad for the last 2 months because of his job and as a result, his body is not able to handle the overload of work and work activities. We ultimately decided to POSTPONE our vacation, but it feels better than using the word “Cancel.”

Alhamdulillah, Allah’s plan was remarkable! I could not imagine what it would have been like if my husband had fallen ill when we were on vacation. It certainly would have been more difficult for us and it was much better to receive the warning before leaving. We believe that in all of Allah’s plans, whether we like it or not, is a silver lining. My kids, yes, they were very disappointed, but they were more upset about their father being sick.

Allah (SWT) says in Al Qu’ran which means, “Every soul shall taste death. We will test you with evil and goodness as a trial (in truth). And just to Us you shall be returned. “(Al-Anbiya ‘: 35)

The companion Ibn ‘Abbas – which given the breadth of knowledge in the interpretation of Al Qur’an – interpreted this verse: “We will test you with difficulties and pleasure, health and sickness, riches and poverty, halal and haram, obedience and disobedience, guidance and misguidance.” (Tafseer Ibn Jarir).

From this we know that many diseases are also part of the trial of Allah (SWT) given to His servants, but behind this ordeal there are various secret lessons that may not be easily accepted by human logic.

Benefits of being sick for a Muslim/Muslima if he/she is patient

The Prophet (SAW) said, which means, “It’s amazing the problems of a believer – indeed all of his situations are good, and this does not happen except for the believers. If he gets joy, then he is grateful and it is good for him, and if he gets into trouble, then he is patient and this is good for him.” (Narrated by Muslim).

Pain will eliminate sin

Disease is the cause of forgiveness for the wrongs you’ve done with the heart, vision, hearing, speaking, and with your bodies. Sometimes the disease is also the punishment for sins committed. As the word of Allah Ta’ala, “And whatever of misfortune befalls you it is caused by what you have done by your own hands, and Allah forgives most (of sins).” (Ash-Shura: 30)

The Prophet (SAW) said, “It strikes a believer in continuous pain, exhaustion, disease, and also sadness, even to the hardship that is troubling, but will be waived her sins.” (Narrated by Muslim).

Pain will save us from the hellfire

The Prophet (SAW) said, which means “Do not revile fever, because with it (the disease) Allah will remove the sins of the children of Adam as a furnace removes impurities of iron.” (Narrated by Muslim)

Therefore, it is not permissible for a believer to revile his illness, to succumb to grumbling, let alone being prejudice to Allah at the pain caused by catastrophe. Indeed the Prophet (SAW) said, “Fever in every believer will distance him from the Fire.” (Narrated by Al Bazzar, shohih)

Illness will remind His servant of his negligence

The disease and misfortune will return a slave who was away from the remembrance of Allah (SWT) in order to return to Him. Occasionally, someone who is in a healthy state is drowning in acts of disobedience and follows their passions which causes him to be busy with his works and to neglect Allah (SWT). Therefore, if Allah (SWT) gives him/her a bout of illness or an accident, he/she will feel weakness, humiliation, and the inability to stand in front of his Lord. He will remember his negligence until he/she returns to Allah (SWT) in repentance and surrender. Allah Almighty says the following which means:

“And certainly We sent (apostles) to nations before you, then We seized them with (inflicted) misery and destitution, that they beg (to Allah) with humility.” (Al-An’am: 42) that is so they would bow to Me, purify their worship of Me, and only love Me, not love other than Me, by way of obedience and surrender to Me. (Tafseer Ibn Jarir)

Wisdoms behind the trials

There are many lessons behind trials like disease and various other difficulties. Advice from rahimahullah Ibn Qoyyim is as follows: “If we can learn the lessons contained in the creation of Allah and His dealings, it is not less than thousands of lessons (which can be dug). However, our sense is very limited, we have too little knowledge, and the science of all beings will be in vain when compared to the knowledge of Allah, as the lights are useless under the sun. “(See Du’a and Wirid, Yazid ibn Abdul Qadir Jawas)

The Prophet (SAW) said, “Verily, Allah Ta’ala, if He loves a people, then He will give them a trial.” (Narrated by Tirmidhi, shohih).

Subhan Allah, even though our vacation plans were delayed, we believe that Allah gives us the best.

a Muslima's Reflection
a Muslima’s Reflection

 

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